The earliest representation of Alfred the Great is in Matthew Paris's Major Chronicle of c.1250. The portrait above was commissioned by Thomas Walker master of University College Oxford. The claim that Alfred the Great was the founder of the college had been promulgated by William Camden (1551 - 1623) who published Brittania in 1586 first in Latin and later in English - 1603 edition of Asser's Life of King Alfred.

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Late 17th century Engraving of Alfred the Great

Michael Burgers.

Stone head of Alfred the Great at Brasenose College, Oxford

Engraved by Michael Burgers (1653 - 1727).

43 x 44 mm (cut).

Engraving of Alfred the Great

by Michael Burgers (1653 - 1727).

258 x 158 mm.

Showing two stone heads - the left head being the obvious inspiration for the engraved portrait of Alfred the Great.

Note - Michael Burgers, Engraver, born Amsterdam, emigrated to England 1672/3. Working in Oxford, initially as Loggan's assistant from 1673, and appointed (or was called) University engraver after Loggan's death in 1692. Engraved the university almanacks.

British Museum.

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Late 17th century engraving by Michael Burgers.

253 x 158 mm

Portrait, half length, of Alfred the Great, wearing crown, ermine mantle and holding sceptre, from a statue (?) in St Albans; below two portraits of Alfred with orbs and sceptres; from a window at All Souls' College, Oxford.

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"The historian should be fearless and incorruptible; a man of independence, loving frankness and truth; one who, as the poets says, calls a fig a fig and a spade a spade. He should yield to neither hatred nor affection, not should be unsparing and unpitying. He should be neither shy nor deprecating, but an impartial judge, giving each side all it deserves but no more. He should know in his writing no country and no city; he should bow to no authority and acknowledge no king. He should never consider what this or that man will think, but should state the facts as they really occurred. Lucian of Samosata